Luke identifies the Acts of the Apostles as the sequel to his gospel in its opening introductory verse. As in his gospel, Luke again addresses Theophilus in his writing. The name means friend of God. He reviews the fact that he has told Jesus’ whole story from the beginning until he was taken up. He makes clear that Jesus instructed specially chosen apostles — the word means those sent, missionaries. He sets the scene for Jesus’ departure a second time.
In this scene Jesus’ disciples speak up. They have a persisting expectation that the messiah will restore Israel, then a Roman-occupied province, to a theocratic kingdom again. They want to know if now is the time. Jesus explains this is the Father’s concern.
What the risen Jesus expects in his absence is their witness to the ends of the earth. Their mission is not to establish an earthly kingdom but to live and spread the good news. Jesus promises the power of the Holy Spirit for their work.
Luke’s description of Jesus’ ascension is the usual way artists visualize this moment. Jesus is lifted up. A cloud takes him from sight. Lifting up expresses the divine worth of all Jesus has done and will continue to do.
Two men appear and chide Jesus’ disciples for gawking heavenward. They have work to do. Acts is their story of continuing the mission Jesus began.
Jesus promises the Spirit.
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me, for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
When they had gathered together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Acts 1.1-11
- What does ascending, climbing, lifting up mean in your life? In Jesus’ life?
- How has the world benefited from the witnesses spreading Jesus’ good news?